ATR receives EASA certification for Starlink use on ATR72 regional aircraft
ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, has announced that it has successfully completed the certification process with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the introduction of the Starlink high-speed internet connectivity system onboard its ATR72 family of regional turboprop aircraft.
Following several successful test flights carried out on ATR’s 72-600 testbed aircraft performed from the company’s base in Toulouse, France, over recent months, the company announced in a statement issued on January 21, 2025, that EASA has given its Starlink program the green light, paving the way for ATR72 operators worldwide to introduce the system onto their aircraft.
Long-standing partner in the development program, Air New Zealand, is poised to be the launch customer for the newly certified system and is expected to introduce it to its short-haul ATR fleet in 2025. The company recently received its 30th ATR aircraft which had undertaken a marathon weeklong delivery flight from Toulouse to New Zealand. Its journey spanned more than 12,500 miles (20,000km) with stops in Heraklion, Riyadh, Oman, Hyderabad, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Darwin, and Brisbane before landing in Christchurch.
Engineered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, Starlink became the world’s first satellite constellation using a low-Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more. While its use has been rolled out by several airlines over recent years, this milestone marks the first time the system has been certified for use on short-haul turboprop aircraft.
“Starlink opens up a new era for ATR, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and passenger experience in the regional market,” stated Daniel Cuchet, Senior Vice-President Engineering at ATR. “This achievement demonstrates our dedication to staying ahead of the curve, responding to the latest travel trends in line with our customers’ expectations, and collaborating with industry-leading partners who share a vision of excellence and innovation to transform the way people experience air travel.”
Under the terms of the agreement between ATR and Air New Zealand, specialist firm PMV Engineering has developed the necessary modifications for the certification of the Starlink aero terminal to be fixed to the exterior of any ATR72 aircraft. The option will be available as a retrofit option on all ATR72-500 and ATR72-600 aircraft in service and to all ATR operators through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
Jordan Tan / Shutterstock“We’re always looking at how new and innovative technology can deliver improved customer experiences and with the world’s largest satellite constellation, exploring in-motion connectivity on our aircraft with Starlink was a no-brainer,” said Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer at Air New Zealand. Whether traveling for work or leisure, we know maintaining seamless internet connectivity is something that will transform the travel experience for customers.”
“We can’t wait to bring connectivity to our domestic flights. Collaborating with ATR and the PMV Engineering team has been fantastic, and their expertise has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life,” he added.
“We’re honored to be the providers of such a revolutionary technology onboard ATR aircraft, sharing our expertise and solution-led approach to open up new opportunities for ATR, its customers, and their passengers,” commented Eric Sperazza, Chief Executive Officer at PMV Engineering.”
Other benefits
According to ATR, in addition to passenger connectivity benefits, the Starlink system will also “allow pilots to connect to aviation weather services, enhancing flight safety through more informed decision-making. Moreover, the compact size of the antenna makes it perfectly suited to the ATR platform in terms of aerodynamics.”
ATRWith its fully connected cabin that can already integrate USB sockets in all seats, in-flight entertainment systems, high-speed internet, and a whole range of high-end cabin solutions (known as the ATR Highline cabin interiors collection), the company is expecting strong interest from ATR operators worldwide and particularly in markets such as Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the United States, where demand for in-flight connectivity is growing rapidly.
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ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, has announced that it has successfully completed the certification process with…
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